Standardization of SNM Containers

Year
1980
Author(s)
K.R. Alvar - IRT Corporation
H. R. Lukens - IRT Corporation
Abstract
The need and feasibility of standardizing containers used for the storage, transfer, and measurement of special nuclear materials have been investigated with respect to the use of nondestructive assay techniques for regulation and control of such material. Two findings indicate a need for standardization: (1) there are a great multiplicity of container shapes, sizes, and materials in present use, and (2) the responses of NDA instruments are sensitive to slight variations in the dimensions of containers, including wall thickness. Measurement of a number of commercial steel and polyethylene containers showed that they are sufficiently uniform to keep container contributions to NDA errors below 0.2 percent relative, and a suggested list of standard containers was formulated. A value/impact statement has been prepared with respect to standardizing containers.